Deanery, Gloucester. - Agrees it is 'pleasant' that their two boys [Arthur and Robert] 'would have been close together' [in the scholarship examination for Harrow?]: hopes it is a 'happy augury of future friendship'. His son has another year at Elstree then hopes to try again next year: he was only twelve last November, and is still 'very weak in translation' though his composition is 'promising'. Trevelyan's son came top of all the scholars in the two translation papers: hopes he will have a 'bright & happy time' at the Grove [Harrow house]. Is going with his sons and two daughters for an expedition in the 'Forest of Ardennes [Arden]', as they call the neighbouring Forest of Dean, starting tomorrow; they should reach Tintern on Saturday. When the time for Trevelyan 's speeches comes, will think about him: quotes the lines from [Addison's] Cato which 'brought down thunders at the speeches in 1835', when 'Peel was... the hero of the ovation!'.
[on mourning notepaper]:- Is glad to hear from her last letter that Aunt Annie is better; hopes they will soon come back to England. At school, they have 'done about half of [their] trials [exams], and most of the difficult ones'.
Hopes his father's 'tour in Cornwall was successful'. It has been raining very heavily, including one thunderstorm which made 'the greatest downpour [he has] ever seen'. Is 'sorry to say' that Hughy Butler has been caught smoking, and is 'now in the Lower Sixth'; his father is 'very unhappy, and talks of taking him away'. Is afraid Hughy 'will be in a worse row by the end of the term'. A subscription is being got up for Miss Bartlett [the school matron at Wixenford?] and he wants to get photographs of the boys who are leaving, so will need some more money. Hopes she 'will not think [him] expensive', but he had not factored in these expense and thought he would have enough.
Georgie is well; Robert does not think he has had his 'quarter-marks' yet. They 'forgot to take back the story of Benyon the substitute'.